The Legend of the Netherworld

Chapter 203 Li Hao

A cold light flashed in Lin Xiao's eyes, and his mind became clear. He knew that this was Zhang Ling's ultimate move. If he was hit by it, not only would his own strength be devoured, but even his consciousness might dissipate in this powerful energy.

"There won't be a second chance for this move." Lin Xiao took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with determination. He quickly performed the "Imitation Move Phantom", summoned four sword shadows, forcibly suppressed his own strength, and instantly burst out with the strongest attack of "Sword Dance Fenghua Xuan", rushing towards the black energy ball head-on.

He knew that if this attack failed to completely defeat the black energy ball, he would be in great danger.

Four sword shadows intertwined in the air, like stars in the sky, with sword energy running rampant. As Lin Xiao exploded, the surging force began to collide violently with Zhang Ling's energy ball.

The sound of violent collision echoed all around. The energy of Lin Xiao and Zhang Ling surged into a thunderous scene. The air was filled with a burning smell. The surrounding trees broke in the shock wave and the soil flew everywhere.

Lin Xiao's eyes were filled with determination and resolve. His sword energy, as sharp as a blade, pierced through the barriers of space and headed for the black energy ball. Every swing of his sword carried unparalleled power, and the sword energy surged, shaking the very air.

"boom!"

A tremendous roar echoed as Lin Xiao's sword energy collided with Zhang Ling's energy ball, instantly unleashing a dazzling burst of light. The black energy ball seemed to have received an unprecedented impact, its power instantly dissipating, and ripples of energy swept across the surroundings. Lin Xiao suddenly retreated, steadying himself and maintaining his balance.

Zhang Ling's expression changed, a flash of shock and anger in his eyes. Black flames surged violently around him, clearly affected by Lin Xiao's attack, his energy unstable. "You... were able to withstand my killing move!"

Lin Xiao sneered, his eyes revealing an overwhelming confidence: "You underestimate me too much, Zhang Ling. Your current strength is indeed strong, but it is far from enough."

Before he finished speaking, Lin Xiao stepped forward, accelerating instantly. His body transformed into a stream of light, rapidly approaching Zhang Ling. At the same time, his sword flashed again, rapidly drawing out sword shadows one after another, accurately locking onto Zhang Ling's every move.

"Illusionary Skill: Imitating Phantom Moves!"

Lin Xiao's figure split into countless phantoms again, each image carrying a powerful sword energy, attacking every flaw of Zhang Ling. A trace of panic flashed in Zhang Ling's eyes, and he waved his hands repeatedly, and the black flames quickly condensed, transforming into black wind blades that raged in the air.

However, Lin Xiao's sword energy was like a blade, quickly cutting through the black wind blade, and the sword shadow continued to approach Zhang Ling.

"You will lose this time!" Lin Xiao whispered, his eyes filled with overwhelming determination. Just as he was about to strike Zhang Ling, a glint of madness flashed in Zhang Ling's eyes. He suddenly roared, raised both hands simultaneously, and the black aura around him expanded violently, as if to devour everything.

"Die! Lin Xiao!"

The aura all over Zhang Ling's body condensed into a huge black vortex. The energy in the vortex spun wildly and quickly gathered into a powerful black shock wave, which instantly attacked Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao's face darkened. He knew Zhang Ling was risking everything in this last gamble, and this power was truly terrifying. Seeing the shockwave approaching, Lin Xiao barely hesitated. He immediately unleashed his "Sword Qi Strike" technique, emitting a powerful aura that instantly converged into an incredibly sharp sword energy.

"Sword energy is everywhere, cutting through the void!"

The sword energy slashed out fiercely, like a flash of lightning, cutting through the air and heading straight for Zhang Ling's black shockwave. The two forces met in the air, making a loud bang. The huge shockwave overturned the surrounding trees and cracked the rocks in the vibration.

Lin Xiao gritted his teeth, tightly grasped the long sword in his hand, and all his strength burst out instantly. The sword energy and Zhang Ling's black shock wave stalemated in the air for a moment.

In the end, the sword energy broke through Zhang Ling's defense with its powerful sword intent and slashed fiercely into the black shock wave.

"puff!"

Zhang Ling suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, his face pale as paper, and his body swayed violently, clearly having been severely injured. He barely managed to hold on, a flash of deep fear and anger in his eyes: "Impossible... How could I possibly be defeated by you!"

"You've been completely defeated, Zhang Ling." Lin Xiao walked up to him, his voice as cold as ice. "Your strength is exhausted. Today, I will send you on your final journey."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Xiao swung his sword, and the sword light pierced into Zhang Ling's chest like lightning, completely defeating him.

Zhang Ling's body shook violently and he finally fell to the ground, his eyes full of resentment and unwillingness, but he could no longer resist.

Lin Xiao took a deep breath, wiped the blood off his sword, and then turned and left. He knew that although this battle was over, the challenges ahead were far from over.

Lin Xiao turned and left, never letting his guard down. He knew full well that his enemies were far more numerous than this one. Zhang Ling's death was only the beginning; what lay ahead would be an even more complex and deadly situation.

He moved lightly between the trees, carefully sensing the movements around him. Suddenly, a strange aura reached him from afar. Lin Xiao stopped, his brow furrowed slightly. He knew a new challenge was coming.

"There's actually someone observing from the dark." Lin Xiao sneered inwardly, thinking, "However, no matter who it is, it's impossible for them to escape my perception."

He quietly explored forward, his gaze sharp as a hawk's. After passing through the dense forest, he finally spotted a figure hidden in the shadows. It was a man wearing a gray robe, with a slightly aged face and deep eyes that seemed to see through everything.

"Are you Li Hao?" Lin Xiao spoke lightly, with a hint of threat in his voice.

The grey-robed man was slightly startled, then smiled and said, "Lin Xiao is indeed amazing. He can even detect a concealed person like me. Yes, I am Li Hao."

Lin Xiao's eyes became sharper, and the corners of his mouth raised slightly: "You came to me, are you looking for revenge for Zhang Ling?"

Li Hao chuckled. "Not entirely. Zhang Ling's death did surprise me, but I'm more interested in the aura you carry. At the Jiayin Eighth Realm, your strength is comparable to that of a top expert. However, I've heard you possess an even more powerful power, and I'm sure you wouldn't want to reveal it so easily, right?"

Lin Xiao was silent for a moment, his mind already understanding Li Hao's purpose. Li Hao was clearly testing him, wanting to understand his true strength. Lin Xiao's lips curled up slightly, his expression cold, "Since you know so much, you should also know that testing me will eventually cost you."

Li Hao's smile remained unchanged, but a hint of provocation lingered in his eyes. "Pay the price? Lin Xiao, your strength may not be underestimated, but you're too confident. Do you think you can control the entire situation by yourself?"

Before he finished speaking, Li Hao's figure suddenly moved. His body disappeared from the spot like a ghost, and almost instantly appeared in front of Lin Xiao. At the same time, the air pressure in the air changed dramatically, and a powerful energy swept towards Lin Xiao.

"Heavenly Killing Technique!"

Li Hao let out a low roar, and the air around them instantly solidified, as if entering an invisible space. Lin Xiao felt a heavy sense of oppression and instantly unleashed his "Dragon Swimming Across the Seas" technique to dodge the sudden attack.

"You are indeed not simple." Li Hao nodded slightly, a hint of interest flashing in his eyes. "However, this kind of spatial pressure method is far from enough to trap me."

Lin Xiao narrowed his eyes, his gaze fixed on Li Hao. He understood that this Li Hao was no ordinary foe; he possessed immense combat experience and a myriad of tactics. Given this, Lin Xiao no longer held back and instantly unleashed "Sword Dance Spin," condensing his sword energy into streaks of light and shadow that swept away like a gust of wind.

Li Hao sneered, and a black airflow suddenly condensed in his hand, coiling around him like a giant snake. "Heavenly Killing Technique" was released again, and the black airflow instantly transformed into several sharp blades, slashing towards Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao's sword energy surged, neutralizing the sharp blades one by one. However, Li Hao's attack did not cease, but instead became more ferocious. Every collision brought about a strong energy fluctuation, breaking trees and shaking the air, as if the entire battlefield was shaking with the fierce battle.

"If you want to rely on this move to defeat me, I'm afraid it's not enough." Lin Xiao said in a low voice, with a cold light flashing in his eyes.

He suddenly used the "Illusionary Body Skill: Imitating Phantom Moves" to split into two sword shadows, which quickly circled to the side of Li Hao. The sword energy was as fast as flying and extremely sharp.

Li Hao sensed the danger, turned around suddenly, and waved his hands to condense all the black airflow into a barrier, but Lin Xiao's sword energy still penetrated the defense and hit Li Hao's shoulder directly.

"Ahem!" Li Hao's body shook violently, a trace of blood oozing from the corner of his mouth. But then he took a deep breath, a murderous look flashing in his eyes. "It seems you've revealed your trump card. Well, I won't hold back any more!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Hao's figure suddenly erupted with terrifying energy. The black air in his body swept around like a storm, forming a huge energy vortex. A trace of solemnity flashed in Lin Xiao's eyes, and he thought to himself, "What kind of method is he using?"

Li Hao laughed wildly and raised his hands high. The atmosphere on the entire battlefield instantly became extremely silent. "The power of heaven!"

Lin Xiao's heart trembled as he realized the terrifying extent of Li Hao's move. Instantly, he focused his strength on the sword, his entire body aura bursting forth, ready to meet this fatal blow.

"Come on, Li Hao!" Lin Xiao shouted softly, pointing the tip of his sword to the sky, ready to meet the impending ultimate blow.

Li Hao's figure had completely transformed into a dark bolt of lightning. His hands waved continuously, and the air around him shook violently as if it were being torn apart. The black airflow became increasingly dense, as if a merciless storm was brewing.

Lin Xiao's eyes were sharp, his heart completely calm. He planted his feet firmly on the ground, the tip of his sword pointed at Li Hao. In an instant, the atmosphere in the air froze, as if only the two of them were left on the battlefield, their murderous auras intertwining and colliding in the air.

"The power of heaven and earth can destroy the heavens and the earth!" Li Hao roared, a crazy light flashed in his eyes, the whole space shook violently, and the black airflow was like a huge whirlpool, sucking everything around it into it and rushing straight towards Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao didn't flinch. Instead, his steps were as swift as the wind, his form shifting swiftly like a dragon swimming across the seas. In that instant, he unleashed the "Sword Dance" technique, his sword energy transforming into countless lights and shadows, like falling stars, as he met Li Hao's devastating attack.

"boom!"

The two powerful forces collided fiercely, and a deafening roar was heard in the air. The waves swept around, destroying all the trees, shaking the ground violently, and the valley seemed to be torn apart in the shaking.

Lin Xiao was forced to take a few steps back, but there was no panic in his eyes. He quickly steadied himself and once again unleashed his "Illusionary Body Skill: Imitating Phantom." Two clones shuttled through the air like ghosts, circling around Li Hao and launching their attack.

"Aren't you giving up yet?" Li Hao roared, and the black airflow pounced towards Lin Xiao's clone like a giant snake.

However, Lin Xiao was prepared. He stomped the ground hard and soared into the air like a dragon, quickly adjusting his attack angle to precisely avoid Li Hao's attack. At the same time, Lin Xiao unleashed his "Shadow Spirit Sword Stab," and a ray of cold light shot out from the air, striking Li Hao's heart.

Li Hao's face suddenly changed, and his black air flow spun rapidly, trying to block the fatal sword. However, Lin Xiao's sword energy penetrated Li Hao's defense like a ghost, and the tip of the sword pierced Li Hao's shoulder fiercely.

"Puff!" Li Hao spat out a mouthful of blood, his eyes filled with shock and anger: "Impossible... How can you be so strong!"

Without any pause, Lin Xiao's sword transformed into a streak of cold light and struck Li Hao again. Li Hao tried to launch another black airflow to resist, but Lin Xiao's sword energy was already sweeping over him like a tide.

"Break it!" Lin Xiao shouted, his whole body bursting with strength. His sword energy was as sharp as the wind, directly breaking through Li Hao's defense. The tip of the sword pierced Li Hao's chest like lightning.

Li Hao's body suddenly stiffened, and the light in his eyes gradually dimmed. His hands hung limply at his sides, a trace of blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and he slowly collapsed.

"You...you...why..." Li Hao's voice was weak and unwilling, but he could not continue and finally fell to the ground.

Lin Xiao's eyes remained cold as he looked at the fallen Li Hao, his heart without the slightest wavering. He knew that his battle was not over yet, that Li Hao was just a trigger, and that there were stronger enemies waiting for him.

He glanced down at the spoils from Li Hao's possession, finding several black poison pills, a few pieces of fairy jade, and some precious spiritual herbs. Lin Xiao put everything into a cloth bag, then stood up and looked back into the distance.

It was almost dusk, and night was about to fall. Lin Xiao knew that tonight's battle would be the most crucial moment. To him, Li Hao was only a temporary opponent, and the real challenge awaited him.

"This battle has just begun." Lin Xiao whispered to himself, with a determined light flashing in his eyes.